Mk7 sliding rear door move lock knob for camper ?

[mjjordan]

I have been searching for any info regarding this as I am in the process of converting a 2010 Mk7 lwb High top to a campervan and can see how dangerous this situation could be and have no wish for my wife and self to be fried inside should anything go awry. The access to the knob will be largely obstructed by the building of the toilet wall, so in order to exit the rear of the van via the sliding door when it is single locked, you need to find a way to release that knob that you can't reach unless you have very thin very long arms. Did it ever get solved, has anyone else dealt with this properly during a conversion? My head is telling me at the moment that I may need to effect some sort of mechanical remote, perhaps by, inside the door, creating a circular clamp around the lock/unlock knob and connecting it by rod/s to a position nearer the leading edge of the door to another switch which would mimic the movement of the original; I am not sure if this would add a load to the operation of the original, such that it wwould not flick between lock/unlock so easily when the fob is pressed. Anyone out there done this or anything similar to ensure the can always get out in a hurry? ( I know you can press the fob, but in a hurry it might not be readily to hand). All suggestions appreciated.

[mjjordan]

It is possible ! I cut the top thumbgrip off the standard knob so it wouldnt foul the new door covering when turning. Then I drilled it and put through a thin bar i found with a flat end with a hole in it, screwed in to the half knob tight. Now I had a knob in the lock which didnt stick out , with a "lever" attached to it, all inside the door.. If i could think what said bar came from i would say, but the memory cells have gone blank. I then got a spare knob that you would have to internally open the transit rear doors if you had a minibus and engineered a mounting for it from perforated bar ( so i could change position if I had to) near the front of the door. measurements and positioning were dictated by another piece of scrap I found, which I think might be a cross stretcher for the rear of a flat pack wardrobe ( its about 3mm bar about 3' long, with flattened ends with a hole in them, and a similar arrangement in the middle). 1 end co-incides with the new "lever" on the now half knob in the lock so that a small bolt and nut with washers between and a locknut on the end allows it to move but not fall off, the other end fits on the pin at the rear of the minibus knob, and this, again for locking on whilst retaining turnability has one of those washers with an internal grip to the rod/pin fitted. There you have a remote knob at the front of the door - fob press for lock from inside - all doors lock(not deadlock- only 1 press, or you'll never get out without the key), new remote knob obligingly turns to rear confirming sliding door locked. Emergency exit, grab big new knob, turn forwards, door unlocked, grab latch handle as usual and slide door and gerrout! Should have taken pictures I know but forgot and door now nicely covered in with pretty carpet, sorry!